Saturday, September 13, 2008
Achoooooooo!
Well, with all the movement off and on the islands from the states, etc. the viral season has finally hit...not to mention that all the tropical storms/hurricanes are blowing their "goodies" in with the Sahara Dust.
This has dramatically cut back on the volunteers that we can draw from for our "packing". But HOORAY! Today we were able to get a group together...thanks to some loyal friends and also the local LDS missionaries and the Branch President. And, with some elbow grease and sweat...(yes it was HOT!) we managed to dry can 82 cans of 2% non fat milk...and we did it all within about 2 1/2 hours. Thanks guys! Everyone did a GREAT job. And, now for the pictures!
This has dramatically cut back on the volunteers that we can draw from for our "packing". But HOORAY! Today we were able to get a group together...thanks to some loyal friends and also the local LDS missionaries and the Branch President. And, with some elbow grease and sweat...(yes it was HOT!) we managed to dry can 82 cans of 2% non fat milk...and we did it all within about 2 1/2 hours. Thanks guys! Everyone did a GREAT job. And, now for the pictures!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Making Barcodes
Because we are planning to place these dry pack canning items in the retail stores (in cooperation with the NaDMA emergency plan services), we had to put barcodes on the labels. This was at first a task which I was not sure I wanted to undertake...but it sure would make it easier for the stores to account for and then commuincate a need for more supplies from us.
And so, I searched and found a website that allows you "make" your own barcodes with the distinct names of your individual products. The good news is... it's FREE!
So here it is for all of your who will need to comply for your own supply purposes.
http://www.barcodesinc.com/generator/index.php
p.s. Enjoy! and, it's really easy. All you have to do is type in the name of the product and it autmatically makes the barcode. Then you cut and paste it onto your specific label. But, be sure and take the label for the Bureau of Standards to approve as we did.
And so, I searched and found a website that allows you "make" your own barcodes with the distinct names of your individual products. The good news is... it's FREE!
So here it is for all of your who will need to comply for your own supply purposes.
http://www.barcodesinc.com/generator/index.php
p.s. Enjoy! and, it's really easy. All you have to do is type in the name of the product and it autmatically makes the barcode. Then you cut and paste it onto your specific label. But, be sure and take the label for the Bureau of Standards to approve as we did.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Update...
As you can see there have been no update pictures posted...and that's because it's quite hard to take pictures of yourself while you are doing something. However, that said, we are planning to have a training session of the dry pack canning later this week, and we WILL get some pictures of that.
However, there has been alot going on, so let me give you some insight...
We had to wait after awaiting the "appointees" for the new govt. and we finally received invitations for meetings to re-discuss everything. That said:
a. we met with NaDMA and they are deciding how much they wish for their storage and we ill know within the month
b. we will also be providing storage for the police force as they are first line defense in emergencies. they are also notifying us with their needs by October
c. we are meeting with nursing home administrators in the next two weeks to present the information to them, but they already have said they want not only emergency storage, but a continuing supply for general use as it is hard to store the usual bags, etc. AND, on our recommendation, they can use the empty cans for projects that they can perhaps sell
d. we are also meeting with the friends for the mentally challenged to see how we can incorporate them into our training and staff needs as time goes on with the physician director for his support and assistance.
e. Spiceland Mall via Real Value (Giant) has agreed to discuss placing our items for shelving and general populace purchase (and so we needed to develop the label and include a "barcode" to make it easier for their inventory purposes)
f. we met with the Grenada Bureau of Standards to provide verification of size, weight control, etc. and labeling, which meant that Ann and I had to start canning to show a "stock" value. All was APPROVED!!! yippee
g. we have volunteers beginning training for the canning process Wednesday next...and they plan to "can" one to two days a week...their only pay is to be able to purchase some of what they can...(nice contract huh?)
so along that line, we had to increase our costs for purchase of gloves, sheets, etc. "c" clamps for securing the machine, garbage bags, etc. and oil for the machine so we have a supply.
h. I have also produced log books to include:
1. inventory log - has sheets with inventory of provisions (bulk) which are accounted for on purchase and then as they are used
2. invoice/receipt log- has purchase requests (blank) and those to be filled and those filled, for our ledger and accounting
3. general book - with training protocol (yes, I had to come up with that too), communications, purchase receipts for canning items, emails, government paperwork, etc.
i. each person working in the cannery, must have a name tag (so I have made those also) to comply with the Ministry of Health and Commerce requirements
j. Once we start making any profit, I will need to make application with the government for taxes, etc. but that is in the future as yet.
Does that sound like we have been busy? You bet it does...but now the fun will start and we will get to actually start marketing...the NEXT BIG process!
However, there has been alot going on, so let me give you some insight...
We had to wait after awaiting the "appointees" for the new govt. and we finally received invitations for meetings to re-discuss everything. That said:
a. we met with NaDMA and they are deciding how much they wish for their storage and we ill know within the month
b. we will also be providing storage for the police force as they are first line defense in emergencies. they are also notifying us with their needs by October
c. we are meeting with nursing home administrators in the next two weeks to present the information to them, but they already have said they want not only emergency storage, but a continuing supply for general use as it is hard to store the usual bags, etc. AND, on our recommendation, they can use the empty cans for projects that they can perhaps sell
d. we are also meeting with the friends for the mentally challenged to see how we can incorporate them into our training and staff needs as time goes on with the physician director for his support and assistance.
e. Spiceland Mall via Real Value (Giant) has agreed to discuss placing our items for shelving and general populace purchase (and so we needed to develop the label and include a "barcode" to make it easier for their inventory purposes)
f. we met with the Grenada Bureau of Standards to provide verification of size, weight control, etc. and labeling, which meant that Ann and I had to start canning to show a "stock" value. All was APPROVED!!! yippee
g. we have volunteers beginning training for the canning process Wednesday next...and they plan to "can" one to two days a week...their only pay is to be able to purchase some of what they can...(nice contract huh?)
so along that line, we had to increase our costs for purchase of gloves, sheets, etc. "c" clamps for securing the machine, garbage bags, etc. and oil for the machine so we have a supply.
h. I have also produced log books to include:
1. inventory log - has sheets with inventory of provisions (bulk) which are accounted for on purchase and then as they are used
2. invoice/receipt log- has purchase requests (blank) and those to be filled and those filled, for our ledger and accounting
3. general book - with training protocol (yes, I had to come up with that too), communications, purchase receipts for canning items, emails, government paperwork, etc.
i. each person working in the cannery, must have a name tag (so I have made those also) to comply with the Ministry of Health and Commerce requirements
j. Once we start making any profit, I will need to make application with the government for taxes, etc. but that is in the future as yet.
Does that sound like we have been busy? You bet it does...but now the fun will start and we will get to actually start marketing...the NEXT BIG process!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Opening of the machine and supplies
Once the representative of the CHurch of Jesus Christ latter-day Saints officially handed over the supplies and machines, we did not delay in opeing the boxes to see what the machines were like. In my original proposal I was adamant that all our processes should be "green", and that meant that the machines would have to be manually operated, necessitating no electricity. A little muscle action and our canning would be the same as larger more energy expensive processes.
The canning sealers, as they are called (aka canning machines) were made by the Wisconsin Metal Foundry, and they are of the finest galvanized and stainless parts available. The cans are dipped so they will withstand humidity and pressure and are made in Illinois. I am currently pursuing a can making facotry in Trinidad to help keep the costs down and help the area Caribbean economy as well.
Well...the machines work great as you can see...we were able to produce an empty well-sealed can...and that's the end-product that we are looking for for excellence and quality.
The canning sealers, as they are called (aka canning machines) were made by the Wisconsin Metal Foundry, and they are of the finest galvanized and stainless parts available. The cans are dipped so they will withstand humidity and pressure and are made in Illinois. I am currently pursuing a can making facotry in Trinidad to help keep the costs down and help the area Caribbean economy as well.
Well...the machines work great as you can see...we were able to produce an empty well-sealed can...and that's the end-product that we are looking for for excellence and quality.
Dry Pack Canning Project...How it all Begins...
Well...here is the crew that unloaded the supplies for the Dry Pack Canning Project. All the packing supplies are being housed in a private building, machines, cans, lids, oxygen packets, marking labels, etc.
Now all we have to do is purchase the provisions, make the purchase orders, send out the letters and start the packing process.
The order of events to obtain this included:
1. writing the proposal and ultimate grant to LDS Humanitarian services for funding of project
2. research for prices on machines, cans, and provisions
3. research on providing space for supplies, et.
4. meetings with the Ministry of Health, NaDMA (National Disaster Committee), Prime Minister, and food approval department for canning process and follow-up
5. procuring machaines (and they will can #10 + #12 sizes) and are hand crank...energy efficient
6. procuring the cans from a distributor willing to ship (have also now begun communication with Trinidad for future purchase if their cans fit our machine)
7. procuring the oxygen packets to keep the provisions fresh nad having them shipped from US
8. marking supplies to label cans with expiration dates, etc.
9. Obtaining permits, bills of lading, concession paperwork and a broker to handle the supplies for clearance through customs, tropical shipping and the port
10.Outreaching for volunteers to help with the canning process
11.Proposing collaboration with the Ministry for use of the project for youth job training
12.Discussion with Ministry about further use of youth for farming project to begin dehydration of foods and fruits for future canning
13.Identificatoin of administrative and training staff for canning process
14. training sessions and beginning of dry pack canning process
15. Retrieval for purchase orders and beginning of dissemination of orders as received
16. Repeat and start again with orders and provisions and supply ordering.
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